St. John's Living- Fall 2021

Rehabilitation Move Stresses Recovery at Your Pace page 2

What is Enhanced Assisted Living? page 4

Create Joy for St. John’s Residents page 6

Programming Has Residents at the Top of Their Game

St. John’s Named to Long-Term Care Equality Index page 8

FALL 2021

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Rehabilitation Move Shifts Recovery to Neighborhood Level Vision St. John’s will lead and inspire a shift in society’s views of elderhood by embracing and celebrating life’s experiences.

Mission St. John’s embraces life with vibrant, caring, and life-affirming relationships.

We embrace living by being . . .

Innovative Respectful Friendly Responsive Compassionate Fun

Editor: Tom Harner tharner@stjohnsliving.org Contributor: Devin Andrieu Vice President of Marketing: Jennifer Lesinski jlesinski@stjohnsliving.org Chief Executive Officer: Charlie Runyon Executive Director, St. John’s Foundation: Anne Mc Kenna

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Recovering from an illness, injury, or surgical procedure can be a difficult, stressful period. This is especially true as we get older.

Older adults who find themselves in need of short-term rehabilitation are faced with an important choice. As they look forward to a full recovery, the environment where these critical days of recuperation and therapy sessions are spent can make all of the difference. Finding a place where you or your loved one can feel comfortable and supported is key to achieving those positive outcomes we all want. An accessible setting that looks and feels more like home is proven to improve recovery.

The need for more hospitable, homelike rehabilitation spaces in the Rochester area is a big reason

why these services made the move to the program’s new home on the Reservoir 5 neighborhood at St. John’s Home. Beginning this fall, rehabilitation guests at St. John’s will spend their days in a more accessible neighborhood setting where their surroundings will look and feel more like home and the support they receive will get them back to their homes quicker and with confidence.

Once up-and-running completely, neighborhood administrator Matt Rossman estimates that about 70% of therapy sessions—including physical, occupational, and speech therapies— will take place in the centrally located new “mini-gym” on Reservoir 5 and throughout the neighborhood (both inside and outside of guest rooms).

This move will also allow for an

“ My mother was recently discharged on September 23, following rehab for a fall and shoulder replacement surgery.

Molly Lorenz was my mom’s physical therapist and affectionately referred to by us as ‘the motivator.’ Though my mom initially and continuously rejected PT, Molly finally got her up and going and onto the next phase in her recovery. She is very much appreciated by us. Please extend our thanks.”

- Tom

increase in the number of rehabilitation guests St. John’s can accommodate at one time.

“We are excited to grow our rehab program here to better serve our community,” says Rossman, a physical therapist who had previously served as rehabilitation director at St. John’s. This move more closely reflects the vision St. John’s has been moving towards for working with rehabilitation residents in a setting “where they can take on real challenges they experience in their everyday life.”

The larger physical therapy gym and adjacent occupational therapy apartment on the first floor will still be utilized regularly, though sessions located there will typically involve more mobile patients who are further along in their recoveries. As rehabilitation guests get stronger and more self-assured, our innovative physical and occupational therapy spaces located on the first floor of St. John’s Home will continue to help prepare them with the skills and peace of mind needed to get back home safely.

START YOUR COMEBACK HERE: stjohnsliving.org/rehabilitation 3

The Hawthorne Delivers a Truly Unique Assisted Living Experience The Hawthorne at St. John’s Meadows offers a distinctively intimate setting for residents in need of support with activities of daily living. While the Hawthorne stands out as one of the smallest assisted living programs in the Rochester area, the community is truly unique in a number of different ways.

Nursing Experience The Hawthorne boasts hundreds of years of collective nursing experience on the resident care team and all of that experience is focused on never more than 42 residents. Nurses oversee care on every shift and are responsible for all treatments and passing all medications.

Future Needs Do Not Cost More Residents and families find great value in the Hawthorne’s allinclusive pricing. The St. John’s model of assisted living features no additional costs for needing increased support. There are no incremental charges for additional showers, or if resident needs an insulin injection or incontinence care as their health status changes.

This flat rate for services at the Hawthorne also includes Enhanced Assisted Living, a

special licensure earned by St. John’s that can allow for people to stay and age in place, without the need to move to a higher level of care unnecessarily.

Part of a Spectrum of Senior Services If and when a nursing home is needed, St. John’s offers two skilled nursing options— St. John’s Home and the St. John’s Green House Homes in nearby Penfield, New York.

Additionally, because the Hawthorne is part of St. John’s Meadows, residents benefit from increased access to exceptional programming options and clubs alongside independent living residents. “Assisted living is an important part of the St. John’s continuum,” says St. John’s Vice President of Senior Housing Tony Zaccaglino. “The Hawthorne provides excellent care when greater support is needed.”

“ The Hawthorne staff is nothing short of amazing.

Professional, efficient, knowledgeable, genuine, and communicative.

Having a background in healthcare myself, I am impressed and relieved to have my Aunt living at the Hawthorne.” - Bev

LEARN MORE ABOUT ENHANCED ASSISTED LIVING:

stjohnsliving.org/services/enhanced-assisted-living/ 4

St. John’s is grateful to all who contributed to St. John’s Foundation from February 1, 2021 through August 13, 2021.

Your gifts support our vision of enhancing the lives of St. John’s residents through social programming, physical fitness activities, creative and recreational arts therapy, and spiritual programming. Donors who give a minimum of $500 per year to the Annual Fund are acknowledged as members of the Highland Park Society. Please note that a small handful of donors appear in this issue’s list, but contributed earlier in 2021.

Annual Fund HIGHLAND PARK SOCIETY Founders ($2,500-$4,999) In honor of Larry Lochner Ms. Dianne P. Lochner

Benefactors ($1,000 - $2,499) Louis P. and Betty A. Iacona Fund at Rochester Area Community Foundation

FRIENDS OF ST. JOHN’S Contributors ($250 - $499) Mrs. Adrienne Dykeman

Friends ($1 - $249) Ms. Patricia E. Alessi Mr. and Mrs. Richard Anderson Anonymous (1) Ms. Sally Barnum Mr. and Mrs. Paul Bartlett Ms. Sharon Beaver Ms. Susannah Bellanca Mr. Richard Biedenbach Ms. Harriet Caputo Ms. Carolyn Cerame Mr. Thomas F. Chase Ms. Mary Beth Cook Mr. August Delia Mr. Richard S. Dennison Ms. Jaime Dermody Ms. Nancy Dinsmore Ms. Eve Donahue Mr. and Mrs. Timothy Gersey Ms. Danielle Guillemette Mr. John B. Hodgetts Mr. and Mrs. David Hoover Ms. Lisa Ireland Mr. Kevin Judge Mr. Chay La Mr. and Mrs. Paul LaChapelle Ms. Jean Levitt Mr. Joseph W. Madigan Mr. Mark Montanari Ms. Pamela A. Moore Ms. Cheryl O’Marra Mr. and Mrs. Rufino Pabico Mr. DJ Persson Mr. and Mrs. Raymond Pettine Ms. Ellen Pochmara Rev. Darryl and Mrs. Holly Powell Ms. Katherine S. Root Ms. Eileen Schechner Ms. Jan H. Spates Ms. Rhonda Vaccaro Mr. Bob Varone Ms. Wendy White

Ms. Rene Wimer Ms. Barbara Yorks Ms. Susan Yorks-Avery

32nd Annual Golf Tournament CONTRIBUTORS Anonymous (2) Mr. Sean Calnan Mr. and Mrs. John Chapman Ms. Suzanne Clark Rev. Sarah Culp Ms. Theresa Daum Ms. Stephanie Donnelly Ms. Elizabeth Kosoff Ms. Anne and Mr. Francis Mc Kenna Mr. David J. Persson Mr. DJ Persson Ms. Stella Slaight Kathy L. Strong Fund at Rochester Area Community Foundation Mr. and Mrs. Louis G. Visco Mr. and Mrs. William C. Wallace, Jr. Mr. Michael Waters

SPONSORS Advantech Industries Alesco Advisors LLC Arthur J. Gallagher & Co. B. Giambrone & Co. Bergmann Bison Elevator Service, Inc. The Bonadio Group and Beacon Solutions Group Buffalo Pharmacies Chudy Paper Company Cool Insuring Agency, Inc. Empire Kitchen and Bath Excellus BlueCross BlueShield EZaccessMD Farmington Company (an Aon Company) FirstLight Generations Child and Elder Care Genesee Regional Bank Mr. David Guadagnino, Merrill Lynch Wealth Management Harper Danesh LLC HealthDirect Pharmacy Services High Falls Advisors Howard Road Garage JFS/Curtze LECESSE Construction Liberty Health Supply LMT Technology Solutions MatrixCare M&T Bank M/E Engineering Messner Flooring

Northwest Bank Pathfinder Engineers & Architects Postler & Jaeckle Corp.

Precise Tool & Manufacturing Radec Electric Corporation Rel Comm Inc. Scaccia Tile & Marble, Inc. Special Care Systems with Rcare Stantec SWBR Toshiba Business Solutions Underberg & Kessler LLP Van Hook Service Company Warren’s Paint & Decorating Center Wegmans Wellington Steele & Associates

Bequest The Estate of Verne H. Moore

COVID-19 Care Mr. and Mrs. Peter Affolter Mr. and Mrs. Richard Anderson Ms. Judy Barillo Mrs. Jeanne Bartlett Ms. Helen Benton Ms. Elynore J. Booth Mr. Ralph E. Boston Mr. Roger J. Boulay Ms. Sue J. Bovay Mr. and Mrs. James A. Braker Mr. Peter W. Briggs Mr. and Mrs. Ronald J. Brone Mr. Robert W. Brownell Ms. Lorene Burandt Ms. Nancy J. Burns Mr. Donald T. Campanelli Mr. Thomas F. Chase Ms. Cynthia Christa Dr. Eugene Cimino Ms. Marilyn F. Colby Mr. and Mrs. Lionello Collia Ms. Joan Conway Mr. and Mrs. Roy H. Copeland Ms. Marianne Cullinan Ms. Mary J. Cupolo Mr. Scott N. Curtis Ms. Carolyn M. Daniels Ms. Ann C. DeFazio Mr. Richard S. Dennison Ms. Leslie E. DesMarteau Mr. and Mrs. Mendal W. Dick Lt. Michael DiGiovanni Ms. Beth A. DiLauro Mr. and Mrs. James F. DiMarsico Ms. Carolyn DiStasio Dr. Kenneth V. Dodgson

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How Will You Create Joy for St. John’s Residents?

“Since you get more joy out of giving joy to others, you should put a good deal of thought into the happiness you are able to give.”

– Eleanor Roosevelt St. John’s residents often find joy while in group settings like our neighborhood picnics, holiday celebrations, or summer concert series. Residents also experience moments of joy during quiet time spent listening to personal music players or interacting with a mechanical pet. However they may occur, the generosity of donors like you make these joyful moments possible!

Consider making a gift this year—your gesture will bring joy directly to St. John’s residents when it is needed the most.

TO CONTRIBUTE: stjohnsliving.org/donate/make-a-gift

COVID-19 Care (continued) Ms. Eve Donahue Ms. Nancy P. Dontzin Ms. Diane Drechsler Mr. and Mrs. James C. Dunnington Mr. David S. Durfee Mr. and Mrs. Carl Eller Mr. and Mrs. Elmer J. Ernisse Ms. Pamela B. Erwin Ms. Regina Eskin Ms. Berdjouhi Esmerian Ms. Theresa M. Figura Mr. and Mrs. David Foster Ms. Rae P. Fradkin Ms. Carol A. Galbraith Dr. and Mrs. James C. Galloway Mr. and Mrs. Paul M. Gardella Dr. and Mrs. Alan E. Graffam Ms. Sheila M. Growney Ms. Sue Habbersett Ms. Joan H. Hacker Ms. Dorothy B. Haelen Ms. Joanne Halasinski and Ms. Gina Fedele Helen Halewski, Ph.D. Ms. Mary Ann Henry Mrs. Muriel I. Herpich Mr. Eugene A. Hettel Mr. and Mrs. Steven A. Hoeppner Mrs. Ellen L. Horn Ms. Ruth Humphrey Ms. Cecelia Jackson Mr. Karl S. Kabelac Ms. Marjorie Karowe Ms. Jean G. Keller Mr. Spencer Kennedy Ms. Barbara Kesel Mr. and Mrs. Datta Kharbas

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Ms. Carole Knight Mr. and Mrs. Robert S. Knox Ms. Christine Kogut Mr. James Kolovos and Ms. Anne E. Miller Ms. Joan M. Kramer Mr. and Mrs. Kenneth A. Kranz Mr. Chay La Mr. and Mrs. Paul LaChapelle Mr. and Mrs. John Lacitignola

Ms. Alice M. Morse Mr. and Mrs. Raymond E. Naber, Jr. Dr. and Mrs. Lawrence F. Nazarian Ms. Kristin Neufeld Ms. Chanh Thi Nguyen Mr. and Mrs. James C. Owens Ms. Carolyn G. Pardo Ms. Patricia J. Parks Mr. John S. Pearsall

In honor of Armand Lartigue Ms. and Mr. Joyce Lartigue

In memory of Samuel H. Henck Mr. and Mrs. David Penney

Ms. Donna S. Lawrence Mr. and Mrs. Rheanolte LeBarbour Ms. Cynthia Leja Mrs. Jane Levin Ms. Marj Lewish Ms. Renee L. Liebschutz Ms. Jean and Mr. George Loomis Ms. Anna E. Lynch, Esq. Ms. Angela MacDonald Mr. and Mrs. George Magin Mr. Charles Mahoney Mr. and Mrs. Todd Martin Ms. Annabelle V. Martin Ms. Catherine A. Mason Dr. Amy J. Mason and Dr. Thomas DeRosa Ms. Anne and Mr. Francis Mc Kenna Mrs. Barbara McHenry Ms. Joanne McMillion Mr. Dan Meagher

Ms. Carol Pike Ms. Marion Pine Mr. Waldo Powell Mr. Guy Prentice, Jr. Ms. Frances Ratcliffe Ms. Patricia Rate Mr. and Mrs. Gerald I. Read Mr. James G. Reed Mrs. Nancy Reitkopp Ms. Esta Richter

In memory of Betty Kruppenbacher Mr. Thomas A. Menz Ms. Carmel S. Merrill and Mr. Richard Lunt Mr. and Mrs. Ed Meskutovecz Mr. and Mrs. Eugene Michael Ms. Mary P. Mitrano

In memory of William Bovee Dr. Diana M. Robinson Mr. Thomas I. Rossi Mr. and Mrs. Robert J. Sabo Mrs. Mary Sarantis In honor of Judith Boston Mr. and Mrs. David W. Shaffer Dr. Daryl Sharp and Dr. Robert Cole Mrs. Ida Sharp Ms. Esther O. Shulman In memory of William Bovee Ms. Beneta Silberstern Ms. Anita L. Simmons

Mrs. Esther Smalline Ms. Angelina F. Snyder Mrs. Arline Stephany Mr. and Ms. Donald H. Sterner, Jr. Ms. Stephanie C. Stine Ms. Gussie Tanenhaus Ms. Rosie Taravella and Mr. Scott Goodrich Ms. Celia Tognetti Mr. Robert W. Treacy Ms. Jana Tushingham Mr. and Mrs. James M. Underwood Mrs. Barbara Van Morrelgem Ms. Doreen G. Vowles Ms. Marilyn Walkowicz Mr. and Mrs. Theodore Wallace Ms. Nancy Warren-Oliver Ms. Kathleen H. White Ms. Gertrude Wiegert Mr. and Mrs. Donald R. Wilder Mr. and Mrs. Ken Williams Ms. Maureen A. Williams Mr. Lawrence E. Witmer Mr. Eugene F. Wolfarth

Gifts-in-Kind Mr. Michael Buczkowski Ms. Kathy Capozzi Ms. Harriet Caputo Ms. Daryl Dear Cubitt Mr. Brian Frankenberger Dr. Tahmtan Hormozdyaran Ms. Loretta Bergen and Betty E. Keeley Ms. Nina Korogoda Mr. and Mrs. Michael Lenhard Ms. Dorothy Marchand Ms. Carol Marchese Ms. Sharon Miller Ms. Diane Moore Ms. Denise Nunziato Ms. Donna Paoni Dr. Ralph Saunders Ms. Sumi Schreyer Ms. Sabrina Scott Ms. Bridget Shumway and Mr. David Seconi Mrs. Esther Smalline Mr. and Mrs. Kevin White Ms. Tammy Wilkes B. Giambrone & Co. Big Oak Driving Range Bill Gray’s Inc. BJ’s Wholesale Club Black Button Distilling Buffalo Bills Buffalo Sabres Caledonia Country Club Castaways on the Lake Restaurant Century Liquor and Wines Cheesy Eddie’s Corning Museum of Glass Costco Delta Sonic Dentistry at Mendon Square Downstairs Cabaret Theatre Eagle Vale Golf Club Excelsus Solutions George Eastman Museum Hedonist Artisan Chocolates Hegedorn’s Market

Hillside Family of Agencies The Irish Mafia Brewing Company Joey B’s K2 Brothers Brewing Lima Country Club Marketview Liquor Mary Kay Cosmetics Memorial Art Gallery of the University of Rochester MicGinny’s on the River Monica’s Pies National Baseball Hall of Fame Pastique Pepsi Beverages Company Pinnacle Wine and Liquor Pittsford Pub and Grille Ravenwood Golf Club Reservoir Creek Golf Course Rising Storm Brewing Rochester Museum and Science Center Rohrbach Brewing Company The Edwards Press Tops Friendly Markets US Foods Victor Hills Country Club Whole Latte Love Wright Beverage Distributing

Illumination of Love Anonymous (1)

In Appreciation of St. John’s Home Staff at 150 Highland Avenue Ms. Annette Cucchiara In honor of Larry Lochner Ms. Dianne P. Lochner In memory of Elizabeth Kelly Ms. Jean O’Brien Ms. Lisa Seischab

Penfield Green House Homes In memory of Barbara Welsh Mr. and Mrs. Thomas Beresford, Jr. Mr. and Mrs. Bryan D. Fick Mr. and Mrs. Mason Fitch Ms. Kate Flynn Ms. Karen W. Fox Ms. Donna B. Ross Mr. and Mrs. George H. Schaffer Mr. Jay White

Restricted Gifts

Senior Housing Employee Fund in Appreciation of the Employees of St. John’s Meadows and Brickstone by St. John’s Ms. Rochelle Braiman Ms. Patricia M. Brogan Ms. Sue Habbersett Mr. and Mrs. Richard Leinbach Ms. Carol Pike Ms. Martha Rick In memory of Arthur Rogers Ms. Lois J. Rogers In memory of William Bovee Ms. Beneta Silberstern Mr. John Weider

Soundmind Technology Anonymous (1)

Check Out St. John’s 2020 Annual Report Our yearly overview of the previous calendar year is now available. Included are links to additional content giving you a deeper dive into the people and programs that make St. John’s unique.

WE ARE ALL

2020 Annual Report

Ames Amzalak Memorial Trust Anonymous (1) In memory of Jean Beckford Mr. Kevin Beckford Daisy Marquis Jones Foundation Mr. Thomas R. Gears M&T Bank Mr. and Mrs. James H. McBride SWBR Mr. and Mrs. William C. Wallace, Jr.

AVAILABLE EXCLUSIVELY ONLINE AT:

stjohnsliving.org/ annual-report-2020 7

In memory of Elizabeth “Betty” Kelly Ms. Jean O’Brien

St. John’s Named to Long-Term Care Equality Index The Long-Term Care Equality Index (LEI) is the first-ever nationwide assessment of LGBTQ inclusivity and inclusion at American long-term care communities. St. John’s was named as a Pioneering Participant on the initial report, created by the Human Rights Campaign Foundation and SAGE, the world’s largest organization dedicated to improving the lives of LGBTQ older adults.

LEARN MORE ABOUT THIS IMPORTANT DESIGNATION:

stjohnsliving.org/equality-index St. John’s Foundation Tree of Life Dedicated in loving memory of Mary Pink, the Tree of Life grows through the generosity of family and friends who wish to recognize a loved one with a lasting tribute.

Please contact the Foundation office at 585-760-1291 for more information.

In memory of Theda Hayes Ms. Elizabeth Gruttadaurio

St. John’s Spiritual Life Trinity Emmanuel Lutheran Church Mr. Daniel Seils

Tribute Gifts Tribute gifts to St. John’s Foundation are a meaningful way for donors to honor or memorialize loved ones.

In memory of William Bovee Ms. Doris Adamek Ms. Shirley M. Adams Mr. William C. Andreas Anonymous (4) Ms. Susanne Barrett Ms. Helen Benton Ms. Elynore J. Booth Mr. H. James Chalfant Ms. Joan Conway Mr. Willis T. Cowing Ms. Marianne Cullinan Ms. Virginia Dekin and Ms. Saundra Ehman Ms. Pamela B. Erwin

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Ms. Rae P. Fradkin Ms. Karyl P. Friedman Mrs. Teresa A. Fudge Mr. and Mrs. Roger Goodman Dr. and Mrs. Alan E. Graffam Ms. Sheila M. Growney Ms. Sue Habbersett Mrs. Karen Hall Ms. Loretta Bergen and Betty E. Keeley Ms. Isadora D. Kunitz Mr. Wayne D. Martin Ms. Anne and Mr. Francis Mc Kenna Ms. Patricia S. McKenna Ms. Elizabeth A. Milliken and Mr. James A. Williams Ms. Carol R. Pearson Ms. Janice K. Proctor Mrs. Harriet C. Shulman Mrs. Jacqueline Stricker Ms. Gussie Tanenhaus Mr. and Mrs. Donald R. Wilder In memory of Mary Cardinale Mr. and Mrs. Howard C. Huntington Ms. Linda L. Ryan In memory of Nancy C. Dubner Ms. Anne and Mr. Francis Mc Kenna In memory of Theda Hayes Mrs. Mary K. Leist In memory of Dorothy M. Hoppin Ms. Anne and Mr. Francis Mc Kenna In honor of Marcene Hotchkiss Helen Halewski, Ph.D. In memory of Richard Jaskulski Ms. Anne and Mr. Francis Mc Kenna

In memory of Betty Kruppenbacher Mr. and Mrs. Gary B. Storti In honor of Dean Moore Helen Halewski, Ph.D. In memory of Janet Nugent Anonymous (1) In memory of Irene Robinson Ms. Linda G. Ruda In memory of Francis Scalise Mr. and Mrs. Allen Scalise In memory of Herbert Seils Mr. Daniel Seils In memory of Frederick Sharpe Ms. Anne and Mr. Francis Mc Kenna In memory of John S. Sinacore Ms. Karyl P. Friedman In memory of Ronald F. Spindler LVW Advisors Mr. and Mrs. Dennis A. Asselin Mr. and Mrs. Thomas P. Boskow Dr. Pamelazita Buschbacher Mr. and Mrs. David F. Ensman Ms. Julia Floyd Mr. David B. Kingsley Mr. Gary Markowitz Ms. Nancy B. Schlaffer Ms. Lucinda Schlaffer Ms. Robin J. Spindler Mr. Dave Tillman Mr. and Mrs. Hubert H. Velepec Ms. Michele Wayman In honor of St. John’s Protective Services Staff Mr. Daniel Seils In honor of St. John’s Reservoir 3 Staff Mr. Daniel Seils In honor of St. John’s Therapeutic Recreation Staff Mr. Daniel Seils In honor of St. John’s Volunteer Services Mr. Daniel Seils In memory of Philomena Thyroff-State Flaherty Salmin LLP Summit Federal Credit Union Loan Dept.

Mr. and Mrs. Robert E. Craig Mr. and Mrs. Robert J. Farrell Ms. Elizabeth Garrett Ms. Sharon Pieper Mr. and Mrs. Rob J. Vavrina In memory of Joan E. Varone Anonymous (3) Ms. Mary Ellen Chiera and Family Ms. Danielle Privitera In memory of Barbara Welsh Karen W. Fox

Nurse Educators Set the Tone for Compassionate Care “Our nurse educators don’t just educate by using their words,” says assistant director of nursing Julie Wood. “They lead by example and model the behavior and actions we want all of our clinical staff at St. John’s to demonstrate.”

When Monica Epps was offered a full-time role as a nurse educator at St. John’s in 2020, she knew that network of nurses would help support her efforts. “I work with a great team of nurses,” says Epps, who took on the St. John’s RN Educator role after spending years as an overnight nurse at St. John’s Home.

“Now, I come in every morning and know that somebody is depending on me,” she says.

READ MORE:

stjohnsliving.org/nurse-educators

St. John’s Resources Help Caregivers in Need November is National Family Caregivers Month, and we know that caregiving can be a 24/7 proposition for people taking care of a loved one living with dementia at home. Resources that can help them in their individual journey—whether they are new to caregiving or seasoned caregivers—must be accessible.

SEARCH OUR CAREGIVER RESOURCES:

dementia.stjohnsliving.org

The Caregiver Resources available on the St. John’s Dementia Resource Center website are meant for caregivers of all kinds and are free of charge.

Visit our website created exclusively for family caregivers and find valuable articles, videos, and much more whenever you need help.

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Resident-Led Programming Sets St. John’s Independent Communities Apart

Whatever you may think of the old saying “the customer is always right,” there is perhaps no segment of America’s population where those words ring truer than for independent living residents. The services and amenities that residents pay a premium for each month are delivered right where they live, every day of the year. These customers deserve to have a say in whether the product they are purchasing meets their own specific wants and needs.

Social programming is one aspect of the independent living experience that often takes on a very personal feel for those who live at St. John’s Meadows and Brickstone by St. John’s. Not surprisingly, many St. John’s residents take an active role to ensure programming choices are aligned with the type of activities they are interested in attending. Sometimes that means not only suggesting new programs, but also taking the lead in helping create an event, lecture, or group activity.

St. John’s Meadows Social Recreation Manager Jennifer Kelley and her team spend a lot of time seeking out input about the programs residents desire—even hosting several social recreation meetings each month to collect feedback. Yet, the greatest resources available to them are the talents of the residents who call St. John’s home. It is that knowledge, the diverse backgrounds, and the strong connections throughout the Greater Rochester community that residents bring that truly make the social calendar stand out with robust, unique programming options throughout the month.

Creating their own resident-run programs is one big way people can get involved to help create the community they desire. “The majority of our resident-run programs come to us with a knock on the door or an email with an idea,” says Kelley. She explains that some residents wish to share their expertise or enthusiasm about a specific topic or skill with a small

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Social Programming at St. John’s Independent living residents at St. John’s Meadows and Brickstone

by St. John’s enjoy a robust social calendar, filled with hundreds of programming options each month to meet their unique tastes.

Wellness specialist Steve Gardner—a recent addition to the St. John’s team—has brought his expertise as a physical education teacher and fitness director to help energize the fitness program across the St. John’s independent living campus in Brighton. “The senior population is where my heart is,” says Gardner, and he has hit the ground running by leading and organizing multiple exercise programs each weekday at St. John’s Meadows and Brickstone by St. John’s.

SEE THE IMPACT OF SOCIAL PROGRAMMING:

stjohnsliving.org/unique-programs

group of their neighbors while others like to speak in large groups.

Regardless of the scale of the program, each contribution takes on an equal importance. “We look at it as our job to help them (interested residents) organize these events, assist them financially, and to assist in any other ways that we can to make these presentations or groups as successful as possible,” says Kelley.

These resident-run programs include euchre, bridge, and other clubs that have formed as more and more residents expressed interest in a particular leisure activity. However, many programs spearheaded by residents over the years have taken on a more educational feel. Regularly scheduled memoir writing classes, travel-oriented programs, and discussion groups on current affairs led by residents are now staples at the Meadows and Brickstone. Resident-volunteer initiatives like the long-running “Crafty Ladies” group that donates hundreds of items to hospitals and other charitable groups have also grown organically over the years. A resident-led project in 2020 provided dozens of new desks—built in the wood shop at St. John’s Meadows—for area school children in need during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Kelley and the rest of the programming team are focused on fostering the enthusiasm and creativity of residents and they know that these incredible individual contributions have benefited the St. John’s community for years. “It speaks to the type of people who come to live with us at St. John’s,” says Kelley. “Our residents have a lot of living left to do and they’re excited to share their interests and even their expertise with their friends and neighbors.”

Above: Hawthorne residents play indoor bowling in the dining room.

Top Left: St. John’s Meadows resident Reva Sipser leads a resident-run memoir writing class.

Bottom Left: Residents participate in one of several fitness classes led by St. John’s Meadows Wellness Specialist Steve Gardner.

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A Welcome Change to Fully Embrace Living For many older adults, there comes a time when change is desired or needed. However, taking that step can seem daunting when we are set in the ways and surroundings we know. This is the time and place to open yourself up to new opportunities tailored to stimulate engagement, feed curiosity, and inspire ongoing growth.

VIEW OUR NEW COMMERCIAL:

stjohnsliving.org/welcome-change

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